• More than $50,000 has been donated by staff in 2020 so far through the CSUGive Staff Giving Program
• CSUGive Scholarship recipient tells how scholarship helped her achieve her dream of going to university
• The next round of scholarships is open in September

The generosity of Charles Sturt University staff allows students to fulfil their education dreams.

More than $50,000 has been donated in 2020 to-date via the CSUGive program, funding a range of scholarships and programs to give students more opportunities.

Mrs Kristy Williams lives in Wagga Wagga with her husband Paul and their three children, 11-year-old Zayd, nine-year-old Jayda and six-year-old Zalyah.

She was born in Sydney but grew up in Darlington Point, attending Darlington Point Public School, Coleambally Central School, and Wade High School.

Mrs Williams completed a Bachelor of Nursing in 2017 and will complete a Graduate Diploma of Midwifery at the end of 2020.

She is a recipient of a CSUGive Scholarship that comes from a staff donation program where University employees sacrifice some of their pay to help students in financial disadvantage.

Mrs Williams said the financial assistance she received ensured she was able to complete her degree.

“As a mother of three children with the expenses of living and attending university, I thought I would apply to alleviate some of those expenses. I will be forever grateful for the assistance I received from the Charles Sturt University Give program,” she said.

But the completion of her degree comes with bigger benefits for Mrs Williams than job security.

As a proud Wiradjuri woman, Mrs Williams said she is also doing what she can to encourage other Indigenous people to enter the health sector.

“I want to provide exceptional maternity care to all women, but I want to be an advocate, provide support and ensure culturally-safe and competent care is provided to all women,” she said.

“I’ll ensure a holistic approach to care is provided, one that not only focuses on health and well-being but also social, emotional and cultural well-being.”

Charles Sturt University has a range of philanthropic projects and ways to give on the website.

The next round of scholarships will open for applications in September.